Astronomers at the CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope have discovered peculiar radio signals from Earth’s nearest magnetar, XTE J1810-197, just 8,000 light years away.

Unlike typical magnetars emitting polarized light, this one emits circularly polarized radio waves, a phenomenon never seen before.

Dr. Marcus Lower and Dr. Manisha Caleb, leading the research, express astonishment at the unprecedented findings.

The signals, detected sporadically since 2003 and recently resurfacing in 2018, challenge existing models of magnetar behavior, The Debrief has reported.

The team proposes a theory involving superheated plasma above the magnetar’s pole, though further investigation is needed for confirmation.

Written by B.C. Begley